Pathfinder 1E [IC] - TIDERULER OF MARAN

[Archon Basileus]

[The added difficulty is solely to Marius, since he's using acrobatics to go down - it'd be like simulating a controlled fall. But in both cases you can take 10, sure! Just let me know in-post. Also, I rarely mention 'take 10', but I assume you'll ask for it if you guys wish, given that the situations for it are pretty much flashed out when they're around.]


EVERYONE

After his decent, the monk can see the corridor in front of him clearly. It stretches for no more than 60 feet, facing a single metal door in the end. The corridor is decorated with monstrous faces, sculpted around the walls after some odd taste in decoration. The path ends at a heavy metal door, hanging open for now. The old man from above is still thirty feet away from the door, escorted by a pair of imposing dwarves, both wearing leather appron, crossbows in hand. Defending the passage, only thirty feet in from the elevator, four other dwarves stand guard, two bearing crossbows, two holding swords and shields. They seem to be actively looking for something, as if expecting company at any minute.

Behind them, one of the escorts, a red-haired dwarf, continues a conversation with the old man. As they talk, the trio - the old man, the red-haired and the other dwarf - turn beck, towards the elevator.

"You sure?" - the dwarf says to the old man. As his face turns to the light, his brutal, yet intelligent, features become clear. The dwarf misses an eye and holds several marks, some of which can be recognized as crime records upon his skin.

"I'll get both shares... Yours an mine... If your suspicions are true, this is perfect indeed..." - the cavernous voice comes from the elder once more.

"If all else fails, find an exit. There's plenty hidden from the eye..." - the red-heired dwarf continues. Beyond the crossbow, a pair of imposing blades adorn his belt. A tabard holds many small satchels and vials, ready to be reached by his hand, and his forehead is crowned by a silver diadem that shines against the light. The same goes for the other escort, a bold dwarf of corpulent build.

They seem somehow prepared to battle, but they haven't located the companions yet. Around the elevator, many crevices within the walls allow for a hiding spot. [MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION]

 

[KahlessNestor]

Nerath Wall/Long Return/Mine
Night
Round 0

Morgrym slipped into one of the crevices near the elevator and looked to the others. What was the play here? There were seven of them. Those crossbows could cause trouble, but he could throw down some obscurement.

[sblock=Actions and Rolls]
Move:
Action:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Ministats]
HP: 59/59 NL: 0
AC: 17 FF: 11 T: 16 (+4 vs Giants)
CMD: 16 (+2 vs bull rush, trip)
Fort: 8 Ref: 2 Will: 8 (+2 vs poisons, spells, SLA; +4 v fey and plant effects)
Armed: MW Cold Iron Battleaxe
Ammunition: 9/10 bullets
Storm Burst 7/7/day
Wild Shape 1/1/day

Conditions: Enlarged: Str +2 (16/3); Dex -2 (10/0); -1 attacks (+5); -1 AC (20); Axe 1d10+3

Spells Prepared
0: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
1: Obscuring Mist (Domain), Cure Light Wounds, Produce Flame, Faerie Fire, [Summon Nature’s Ally 1 (Spontaneous)]
2: Fog Cloud (Domain), Barkskin, Flaming Sphere, [Summon Nature’s Ally II (Spontaneous)]
3: Call Lightning (Domain), Cure Moderate Wounds, Protection from Energy, [Summon Nature’s Ally III (Spontaneous)][/sblock]

 

[Neurotic]

Marius slips into the tunnel as soon as others started to follow. He slips from crevice to crevice trying to get into position to prevent guards from simply shooting first person that appears.
[roll0]
OOC: enw roller doesn't like stealth

OOC: Marius can do multiple OAs if someone shoots while adjacent (even if they are not aware that he's close.) I'm guessing this would be too much move for half speed

 

[MetaVoid]

Hagadark follows the warriors down only after confirming that Shayuri doesn't need help. Lowering her down wouldn't be difficult, but it takes time.

He remains in the elevator shaft, his stealth not being his best ability. But thinking tactically is and he quickly prepares entangling mess of tar and fibers.

OOC: come down, ready tanglefoot bag to attack casters or to break the line of advancing warriors as needed.

 

[Shayuri]

Folks seem to have the descent covered, so Shayuri lets them go first, then heads down after them. Her spell could have done the trick, but it would have been difficult to stay hidden she supposed. Maybe this way was better after all.

 

[Archon Basileus]

The enemies are unable to notice the companions as they climb down. They're stand guard as the trio in the back watches around.

"I am in no condition of..." - the old man starts.

"I know." - the red-haired dwarf interrupts. "They're here nonetheless, and you'd never run away from them."

"I don't see'em." - the other dwarf continues.

"Trust me. I know they're here." - the red-haired stops the dialogue all of a sudden, and begins to address the darkness occupied by the companions. Clearly he doesn't see them, but his gesture is enough to betray his assumptions. Somehow, he knew the companions were coming, but now he can't see them. Perhaps he can't even precise their positions.

"Whoever you are..." - he says out loud - "... This can be solved without violence. Trust me, you'd hate if a fight broke out down here." - he stops for a second, trying to locate someone, anyone, within the darkness. "My men are waiting at the Long Return. The very second a fight breaks out, they have orders to kill every whore within those walls. We can talk this out or... Well, your choice." - he waits, bending his head as if trying to overhear something.

MAP UPDATED

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...nqispO67s2ZXLunqhdY4dnNwI/edit#gid=1024332538
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION]


[Sorry, guys. Weird week. We're still processing things overhere.]

 

[KahlessNestor]

Nerath Wall/Long Return/Mine
Night
Round 0

Morgrym paused a bit to consider before speaking. “Seems like it’d be a wee bit ‘ard f’r them t’ even know a foight ‘ad broken out, lad,” he spoke from his hidden position, “seein’ as ‘ow anyone up top able t’ ‘ear a commotion is dead. But I’m listenin’. But ye touch a ‘air on those lassie’s ‘eads, an’ I’ll remove yers an’ feed ye yer own man bits, an’ all those smarmy dwarves followin’ ye..”

[sblock=Actions and Rolls]
Move:
Action:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Ministats]
HP: 59/59 NL: 0
AC: 17 FF: 11 T: 16 (+4 vs Giants)
CMD: 16 (+2 vs bull rush, trip)
Fort: 8 Ref: 2 Will: 8 (+2 vs poisons, spells, SLA; +4 v fey and plant effects)
Armed: MW Cold Iron Battleaxe
Ammunition: 9/10 bullets
Storm Burst 7/7/day
Wild Shape 1/1/day

Conditions: Enlarged: Str +2 (16/3); Dex -2 (10/0); -1 attacks (+5); -1 AC (20); Axe 1d10+3

Spells Prepared
0: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
1: Obscuring Mist (Domain), Cure Light Wounds, Produce Flame, Faerie Fire, [Summon Nature’s Ally 1 (Spontaneous)]
2: Fog Cloud (Domain), Barkskin, Flaming Sphere, [Summon Nature’s Ally II (Spontaneous)]
3: Call Lightning (Domain), Cure Moderate Wounds, Protection from Energy, [Summon Nature’s Ally III (Spontaneous)][/sblock]

 

[Archon Basileus]

"Yes, I believe you did bring down the watch by the door. And they never got to use the bell. Shame..." - he smiles crookedly as he studies the dark, still unable to determine the source of the voice. "But here's the thing: the servants by the Long Return won't need to hear the battle. I have... more direct means of ordering my people around."

"Tell me, how long do you think those girls would resist under torture? How much do you need to kill one of them? Sure, they're sturdy, but even a dwarf has limits..."

"Now, this little operation was about to end, anyway. I see no point in fighting. I lost a few of my men, you lost your time in useless errands... Everyone is poorer for it. I know, I know... You sword-in-hand types aren't gonna settle for gold. But... You might settle for their freedom, aye?" - his cunning posture prepares to strike with words instead of bolts. "All I need is one person. One. For my friend's use." - he motions towards the old man. "A girl would be lovely. And once it's done the rest of them goes free, and we leave Nerath.... For good."
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION]

 

[Neurotic]

Marius almost reveals himself at this attempt of trade with sentient beings. But he just relaxes back confident that the druid will not sacrifice his womenfolk (or others) to this abomination.

He prepares for the battle if there is one. This one must be silenced faster than thought. He thinks ruefully at the training in pressure points he missed in order to learn to channel the dragon. Ability to stun someone would come very handy right now.

 

[Shayuri]

"Whoever you are, you're clearly new at this," Shayuri called out laconically, with a curl of amusement in her tone.

"First, you have no idea who you're dealing with, or what we're after. We expended a certain minimal effort to protect the lives of some strangers, and from that you deduce we can be extorted with the threat of violence to them. Your offer to us is two-tiered. One offer is something you've already admitted is valueless to you; the freedom of the women. The other is something you've already admitted you're going to do anyway...leave."

"In exchange you ask...well, it's not clear now is it? For one of us to surrender? What use does your 'friend' have for one of us? And more importantly...what use have any of us for him?"

"I'd almost think this was just some ploy to stall us, but it seems to me that, like so many other things, time is not on your side right now."